Blocking of Twitter in Nigeria
{{Short description|2021–22 event}}
{{Use Nigerian English|date=June 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
Twitter was blocked in Nigeria from 5 June 2021 to 13 January 2022. The government imposed a ban on the social network after it deleted tweets made by, and temporarily suspended, the Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari, warning the southeastern people of Nigeria,{{Cite web|date=2021-06-02|title=Twitter removes Nigerian president's 'abusive' civil war post|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/twitter-removes-nigerian-presidents-abusive-civil-war-post-2021-06-02/|access-date=2021-06-06|website=Reuters}}{{Cite news|date=2021-06-02|title=Nigeria Condemns Twitter for Deleting President Buhari's Tweet|language=en|work=Bloomberg.com|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-06-02/nigerian-president-threatens-crackdown-after-spate-of-attacks|access-date=2021-06-06}} predominantly Igbo people, of a potential repeat of the 1967 Nigerian Civil War due to the ongoing insurgency in Southeastern Nigeria.{{Cite web|date=2021-06-02|title=Twitter deletes Nigerian leader's 'civil war' post|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-57336571|access-date=2021-06-06|website=BBC News|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|title=Nigeria bans Twitter after company deletes President Buhari's tweet|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/04/africa/nigeria-suspends-twitter-operations-intl/index.html|access-date=2021-06-05|website=CNN|date=4 June 2021 |language=en}}{{Cite news|last=Maclean|first=Ruth|date=2021-06-05|title=Nigeria Bans Twitter After President's Tweet Is Deleted|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/05/world/africa/nigeria-twitter-president.html|access-date=2021-06-05|issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite news|title=Nigeria suspends Twitter after the social media platform freezes president's account|language=en-US|newspaper=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/06/04/nigeria-suspends-twitter-buhari/|access-date=2021-06-05|issn=0190-8286}}{{Cite web|title=Nigerians on Twitter react to Nigeria's Twitter suspension|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/6/4/nigerian-twitter-users-blast-govt-ban-of-social-media-giant|access-date=2021-06-05|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Twitter blocked in Nigeria after deleting a tweet by its president|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/5/22520166/twitter-suspended-nigeria-delete-tweet-president-violate-rules|access-date=2021-06-06|website=www.theverge.com|date=5 June 2021 |language=en}} The Nigerian government claimed that the deletion of the president's tweets factored into their decision, but it was ultimately based on "a litany of problems with the social media platform in Nigeria, where misinformation and fake news spread through it have had real world violent consequences",{{Cite web|date=2021-06-06|title=Nigeria's Twitter ban: Government orders prosecution of violators |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-57368535 |access-date=2021-06-07 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}} citing the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria's corporate existence.{{Cite web|date=2021-06-04|title=Breaking: FG suspends Twitter's operations in Nigeria|url=https://theinformant247.com/breaking-fg-suspends-twitters-operations-in-nigeria/|access-date=2021-09-28|website=The Informant247 News|language=en-US}}
In January 2022, Nigeria lifted its blocking of Twitter after the platform agreed to establish a legal entity within the country sometime in the first quarter of 2022.
Background
On 1 June 2021, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari posted a tweet threatening a crackdown on regional separatists "in the language they understand".{{cite news |title=Muhammadu Buhari: Twitter deletes Nigerian leader's 'civil war' post |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-57336571 |access-date=14 November 2022 |work=BBC News |date=2 June 2021}} The next day, Twitter deleted the tweet, claiming it was in violation of Twitter rules, but gave no further details. Nigeria's Information Minister Lai Mohammed said that Twitter's actions were part of an unfair double standard, as Twitter had not banned incitement tweets from other groups. During the Nigerian Civil War a majority of deaths resulted from the blockade of Biafra which caused the deaths of millions of civilians from starvation, a fact that was not alluded to in the tweet.{{cite journal |last1=Nweke |first1=Obinna Chukwunenye |title=Hunger as a weapon of war: Biafra, social media and the politics of famine remembrance |journal=Third World Quarterly |date=2023 |pages=1–18 |doi=10.1080/01436597.2023.2182283 |language=en |issn=0143-6597|doi-access=free }}
The Nigerian government has long held concerns over the use of Twitter in the country.{{Cite web |date=2021-06-08 |title=Why has Nigeria pulled the plug on Twitter? |url=https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/why-has-nigeria-pulled-the-plug-on-twitter-47352 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608152839/https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/why-has-nigeria-pulled-the-plug-on-twitter-47352 |archive-date=2021-06-08 |access-date=2021-06-18 |website=TRT World |language=en}} The ongoing local End SARS protest began on Twitter{{Cite web|title=#EndSARS movement: from Twitter to Nigerian Streets|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/campaigns/2021/02/nigeria-end-impunity-for-police-violence-by-sars-endsars/|access-date=2021-06-18|website=www.amnesty.org|date=8 February 2021 |language=en}} and got amplified in 2020 when it had 48 million tweets in ten days.{{Cite web|title=#EndSARS: Analyzing 48 Million Tweets in 10 Days Using Brandwatch|url=https://www.nendo.co.ke/post/endsars-analyzing-48-million-tweets-in-10-days-using-brandwatch|access-date=2021-06-18|website=www.nendo.co.ke}} Buhari's government floated the idea of social media regulation on different occasions prior to banning Twitter.{{Cite web|last=Kazeem|first=Yomi|title=Nigerians are bracing for another government attempt to regulate social media after protests|url=https://qz.com/africa/1926334/endsars-nigerian-government-looks-to-regulate-social-media/|access-date=2021-06-18|website=Quartz|date=3 November 2020 |language=en}} Attempts to pass an anti-social media bill in the past have failed majorly due to massive outcry on Twitter.{{Cite web |last=Omilana |first=Timileyin |date=2019-12-18 |title=Nigerians raise alarm over controversial Social Media Bill |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/18/nigerians-raise-alarm-over-controversial-social-media-bill |access-date=2021-06-18 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}} Days before the ban, the country's minister of information called Twitter's activities in Nigeria suspicious, citing its influence on the End SARS protests.{{Cite web|title=Twitter's Mission In Nigeria Is Suspicious, Says Lai Mohammed|url=https://www.channelstv.com/2021/06/02/twitters-mission-in-nigeria-is-suspicious-says-lai-mohammed/|access-date=2021-06-18|website=Channels Television}}
Aftermath
Three days after Twitter was suspended, it was reported that the move had cost the country over 6 billion naira{{Cite web|date=2021-06-07|title=Nigeria loses over 6 billion Naira from twitter shutdown|url=https://nairametrics.com/2021/06/07/nigeria-loses-over-6-billion-naira-from-twitter-shutdown/|access-date=2021-06-18|website=Nairametrics}} and would also contribute to the worsening unemployment in the country.{{Cite web|title=Nigeria's Twitter ban leaves businesses in the lurch|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/14/africa/nigeria-twitter-ban-businesses-intl/index.html|access-date=2021-06-18|website=CNN|date=14 June 2021 }} ExpressVPN reported an over 200 percent increase in web traffic{{Cite web|date=2021-06-12|title=As Nigeria bans Twitter, ExpressVPN records 200% increase in web traffic – Harold Li|url=https://nairametrics.com/2021/06/12/as-nigeria-bans-twitter-express-vpn-records-200-increase-in-web-traffic-harold-li/|access-date=2021-06-18|website=Nairametrics}} and searches for VPN spiked across the country.{{Cite web|date=2021-06-05|title=Rush for VPNs in Nigeria as Twitter access is blocked|url=https://editor.guardian.ng/news/rush-for-vpns-in-nigeria-as-twitter-access-is-blocked/|access-date=2021-06-18|website=The Guardian Nigeria News |language=en-US}} In response, Nigeria's Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Malami at first openly threatened to prosecute citizens who bypass the ban using a VPN but then denied saying so after a screenshot of a Twitter deactivation notification he shared on Facebook showed a VPN logo.{{Cite web|date=2021-06-11|title=#TwitterBan: Malami denies issuing prosecution threat against Twitter users|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/467248-twitterban-malami-denies-issuing-prosecution-threat-against-twitter-users.html|access-date=2021-06-18}}{{Cite web|date=2021-06-10|title=FG not after any religious leader for tweeting but those aiding Twitter to flout ban —Malami|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/06/fg-not-after-any-religious-leader-for-tweeting-but-those-aiding-twitter-to-flout-ban-malami/|access-date=2022-01-13|website=Vanguard News}}
Nigeria's cultural minister Lai Mohammed stated the ban would be lifted once Twitter submitted to locally licensing, registration and conditions. "It will be licensed by the broadcasting commission, and must agree not to allow its platform to be used by those who are promoting activities that are inimical to the corporate existence of Nigeria."{{cite web |last=Okunyomih |first=John |date=2021-06-09 |title=Nigeria says Twitter must register locally for ban to end |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/nigeria-says-Twitter-must-register-170818863.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610191547/https://www.yahoo.com/news/nigeria-says-twitter-must-register-170818863.html |archive-date=10 June 2021 |access-date=June 10, 2021 |website=news.yahoo.com |publisher=AFP}}
In late June 2021, Twitter announced it would enter talks with the Nigerian government over the platform's suspension.{{Cite web |title=Nigeria announces talks with Twitter after ban, as Ecowas court bars government crackdown on users |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2021/06/23/africa/nigeria-negotiate-twitter-ban-intl/index.html |access-date=2021-07-15 |date=2021-06-23 |website=CNN}} The talks began in July 2021.{{Cite web |title=Nigeria says in talks with Twitter after suspension |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210607-nigeria-says-in-talks-with-twitter-after-suspension |access-date=2021-07-15 |date=2021-07-06 |website=France 24}}{{Cite web |title=40 days of Twitter ban: FG's projected tax earnings undermined by fewer users |url=https://guardian.ng/news/40-days-of-twitter-ban-fgs-projected-tax-earnings-undermined-by-fewer-users/ |access-date=2021-07-15 |date=2021-07-15 |website=The Guardian Nigeria}}
On 15 September 2021, Mohammed said the Nigerian government will lift the ban on Twitter in a "few days." The Minister said Twitter gave a progress report of their talks with them, adding that it has been productive and quite respectful.{{Cite web|date=2021-09-15|title=Updated: Nigeria to lift ban on Twitter in a 'few days' - Minister|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/484996-updated-nigeria-to-lift-ban-on-twitter-in-a-few-days-minister.html|access-date=2021-10-01}}{{Cite web|title=Nigerian gov't says Twitter ban to end 'very soon'|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/15/nigerian-government-says-twitter-ban-end-very-soon|access-date=2021-10-01|website=www.aljazeera.com}}
On 1 October 2021, President Muhammadu Buhari in his Independence Day broadcast said Twitter must meet the Nigerian government's five conditions before the suspension of the social media platform will be lifted.{{Cite web|date=2021-10-01|title=Updated: Buhari restates condition for lifting Twitter ban|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/487580-just-in-buhari-restates-condition-for-lifting-twitter-ban.html|access-date=2021-10-01}} The conditions are: Respect for national security and cohesion; registration, physical presence and representation in Nigeria; fair taxation; dispute resolution; local content.{{Cite news|title=President Buhari announce lift of Twitter ban, wit conditions|work=BBC News Pidgin|url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/world-58732512|access-date=2021-10-01}}{{Cite web|date=2021-10-01|title=Buhari orders conditional lifting of Twitter ban|url=https://punchng.com/breaking-buhari-orders-conditional-lifting-of-ban-on-twitter/|access-date=2021-10-01|website=Punch Newspapers}}
Reactions
The ban was condemned by Amnesty International,{{cite news |last=Ohuocha |first=Chijioke |date=5 Jun 2021 |title=Nigerian telecoms firms suspend access to Twitter |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/nigerian-telecoms-firms-suspend-twitter-access-2021-06-05/ |access-date=7 Jun 2021 |publisher=Reuters}} the British, Canadian and Swedish diplomatic missions to Nigeria, as well as the United States and the European Union in a joint statement.{{Cite web |date=6 June 2021 |title=US, EU Condemn Nigeria's Twitter Ban |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/africa_us-eu-condemn-nigerias-twitter-ban/6206697.html |access-date=2021-06-18 |website=Voice of America |language=en}} Two domestic organizations, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP){{cite web |date=4 June 2021 |title=Rescind suspension of Twitter in Nigeria or face legal action, SERAP tells Buhari |url=https://serap-nigeria.org/2021/06/04/rescind-suspension-of-twitter-in-nigeria-or-face-legal-action-serap-tells-buhari/ |access-date=7 Jun 2021}} and the Nigerian Bar Association, indicated intent to challenge the ban in court. Twitter itself called the ban "deeply concerning".
Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who was permanently suspended from Twitter following the United States Capitol attack in January, praised the ban, stating "Congratulations to the country of Nigeria, who just banned Twitter because they banned their President", and also called on other countries to ban Twitter and Facebook due to "not allowing free and open speech."{{cite web |date=9 June 2021 |title=Trump congratulates Nigeria for Twitter ban, says more countries should do the same |url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/06/08/trump-congratulates-nigeria-for-Twitter-ban-says-more-countries-should-do-the-same/ |access-date=June 10, 2021 |website=TechCrunch}}
Lifting of the ban
On 12 January 2022, the Nigerian Government lifted the ban after Twitter agreed to pay an "applicable tax" and establish "a legal entity in Nigeria during the first quarter of 2022".{{Cite web|date=2022-01-12|title=Nigeria lifts more than six-month long suspension of Twitter|url=https://editor.guardian.ng/news/nigeria-lifts-suspension-on-twitter/|access-date=2022-01-12|website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News|language=en-US}}{{Cite news |title=Buhari lift ban on Twitter operations for Nigeria |url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/59969898 |access-date=2022-01-13 |work=BBC News Pidgin}}
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